“Last year, we hired more than 20,000 people into full-time jobs across our U.S. fulfillment centers, with more than half starting as seasonal employees,” said Mike Roth, Amazon’s vice president of North American operations.

Sales and profits have been strong for Amazon lately. In late January, the Seattle-based e-tailer reported that fourth quarter sales rose 20 percent to $25.59 billion, as compared with $21.27 billion in the same period last year. Net income more than doubled, increasing from $97 million to $239 million.

The news of the job openings at Amazon comes just weeks after a few other major retailers, including Macy’s Inc., Target Corp. and J.C. Penney Co. Inc., announced that they will lay off hundreds, or in some cases even thousands, of workers.

Target announced last month that it would lay off nearly 500 workers and would leave another 700 positions unfilled. Macy’s will let go 2,500 employees as it trims central office staff and closes stores, and J.C. Penney is laying off 2,000 workers as it closes 33 of its approximately 1,100 stores.